Alstroemeria plant named Apollo

ABSTRACT

An Alstroemeria plant named Apollo characterized by its large white flowers, the upper surfaces of the inner petals of which are infused with bright yellow-orange. Brown streaks are present on these upper surfaces, with the streaks increasing in size toward the outer end of the petals.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofAlstroemeria plant known by the cultivar name Apollo.

Apollo was originated by the inventor Frank Goemans from a hybridizationmade in a controlled breeding program in Chichester, Sussex, UnitedKingdom in 1984. The female parent was a cultivar designated A49, ahybrid derived from A. Aurantiaca. The male parent of Apollo was acultivar designated S23, a selection from A. Pulchra.

Apollo was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated parentage by Frank Goemans on June 15, 1984 in acontrolled environment in Chichester, United Kingdom.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Apollo was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection on June 30,1984 in a controlled environment in Chichester, United Kingdom by FrankGoemans. Horticultural examination of selected units initiated June 27,1986 has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as hereindisclosed for Apollo are firmly fixed and retained through generationsof asexual reproduction.

Apollo has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in Spalding Lincs, United Kingdom under greenhouse conditionswhich approximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Apollo which in combination distinguish thisAlstroemeria as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large white flowers, with upper surface of the inner petals beinginfused with bright yellow-orange.

2. Streaking appears on the upper surfaces of the inner petals, with thestreaks being dark brown and increasing in thickness towards the outerends of the petals.

3. Long stems.

4. Relatively long flowering season.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the mostsimilar in comparison to Apollo is Walter Fleming. In comparison toWalter Fleming, Apollo has larger flowers, longer stems, and a longerflowering season.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows typical inflorescence andfoliage characteristics of Apollo, with colors being as nearly true aspossible with illustrations of this type. The photograph is aperspective view of several flowers of Apollo, also showing severalbuds, and foliage.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart. The color values were determined inthe afternoon of May 21, 1986 under natural light at Spalding, UnitedKingdom.

Classification:

Botanical.--Alstroemeria cv Apollo.

Commercial.--Alstroemeria.

PLANT

Form: Normal.

Height: A typical plant reaches a tall 65 inches.

Growth: Vigorous.

Foliage:

Quantity.--Medium.

Size of leaf.--7×1.5 inches.

Shape of leaf.--Narrow, obovate.

Color.--Upperside, medium green. Underside, medium green.

Rhizomes:

Color.--White.

Size.--Normal.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Bud

Form.--Normal.

Diameter.--One-half inch.

Length.--One and three-quarters inches.

Calyx.--Elliptic.

B. Flower

Size.--Large, 31/2 inches in diameter.

Borne.--Medium number of branches in umbel.

Blooming habit.--Floriferous.

Shape.--Typical.

Color--Upper surface; white infused with 15A and 17A on inner petals;these petals have dark brown streaks which increase in size toward theouter ends of the petals. Under surface; 155D

Peduncle.--Length, 50 inches; Color, medium green

Lasting quantity.--Approximately 10 days

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Stamens: Number, 6.

Anthers: Color, greenish.

Filaments: Color, white.

Pistils: Number, 1; Color, white.

Stigma: Color, white.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Alstroemeria plant namedApollo, as illustrated and described.